Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, the city where DJ Alan Freed first coined the phrase "Rock
and Roll", ‘Legends in Concert’ performer, singer / songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Billy
Buchanan has a deep musical heritage. Digging into his father's LPs at a very young age, he
became a disciple of all the soul, blues, and rock trailblazers. Not only does this gritty song
and dance man belt out the classics like nobody’s business, he is an exceptional, award
winning songwriter. As a recording artist, Billy Buchanan has released nine solo albums, two
albums with his former band, Fusebox, and another album with his former band, Beehive.
He’s had three Top 20 songs on the CCM charts and has performed in all 50 states and in 26
countries. As a sideman, he's played bass, guitar, keyboards, or sang background vocals for
many established artists, including Grammy winners Rebecca St. James, Michael Tait, and
John Carter Cash. As a songwriter, he's written songs with Dave Cobb, Busbee, Mike
Hartnett, Marc Byrd, and other established writers. He was nominated for a Dove Award for
his role in the touring production, Hero The Rock Opera, and has been nominated for four
Sunny Awards at The Sunburst Celebrity Impersonator’s Convention (including a win for
“Best Website” in 2018), won The 'R&B Feelin' Good Award' at 2020 Reel Awards, and he’s a
two time nominee for The Bea Fogelman Award of Excellence. He was also a Top 3 finalist in
The PGA Tour Songwriting Competition, a winner of The Atlanta Local Music Award, a winner
of The Battle for Florida Award, a Top 3 finalist in the Yamaha Music Showcase (two years in
a row), and a Top 5 finalist in Buzz Magazine’s "Musicians For Homelessness" songwriting
competition.
Even with all of this success, Billy has never forgotten where he came from and the artists
that inspired him as a child. That is why he created his Pioneers of Rock ‘n Soul Show; To
pay tribute to the city that he loves and the music that changed his life and the lives of
millions around the world. Billy impersonates many of the soul and early rock legends
including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, David Ruffin
(from The Temptations) and many more.
Billy has opened for or shared the stage with Tower of Power, Jersey Boys On Tour, Harry
Connick Jr., The Temptations, The Four Tops, Bettye LaVette, Morris Day and The Time,
Chaka Khan, KC & The Sunshine Band, Funky Meters, Josh Turner, Martha Reeves & The
Vandellas, Brothers Osborne, David Ryan Harris, Shawn Mullins, Sixpence None The Richer,
JohnnySwim, The New Orleans Suspects, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Joy Williams (from
The Civil Wars), Super Cat, G Love and Special Sauce, 24-7 Spyz, Switchfoot, Extreme,
P.O.D, N'Dea Davenport (from The Brand New Heavies), Skillet, Alice In Chains, Rebecca St.
James, Salt-n-Pepa, and Jennifer Nettles (from Sugarland) to name few.